Golden Triangle with Varanasi & Tigers

After a relaxing breakfast, the tour guide will pick you up from the hotel and take you for a guided sightseeing of Old and New Delhi.

Full day a guided tour of Old Delhi, the 17th century walled city of Shah Jahanabad, visiting the great Jama Masjid, the principal mosque of Old Delhi. Built in the year 1656 AD by the Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan, it is the largest & best known mosque in India. Later take a rickshaw ride through Chandni Chowk, the old marketplace of Shah Jahanabad now a picturesque bazaar.

In New Delhi, visit Raj Ghat, memorial to the Father of the Nation, Mahatma Gandhi. It is a simple black marble platform that marks the spot of his cremation on 31 January 1948.

We will stop for lunch at Good local Restaurant. Afterwards visit Humayun Tomb, This tomb, built in 1570, is of particular cultural significance as it was the first garden-tomb on the Indian subcontinent. It inspired several major architectural innovations, culminating in the construction of the Taj Mahal.
Further we drive past India Gate, memorial built in the year 1931 to commemorate the Indian soldiers who died in the World War I & the Afghan Wars. The names of the soldiers who died in these wars are inscribed on the walls. President's House, the official residence of the President of India, built in the year 1931. Until 1950 it was known as Viceroy's House & served as the residence of the Governor-General of British India.

Culminate the day at Qutub Minar, built in the year 1206 by Qutub-ud-din Aibek. It is the tallest (72m) brick minaret in the world, an important example of Indo-Islamic Architecture.

Overnight stay at hotel.

Upon arrival you are meet & greet by our company representative later you are transferred to your pre-booked hotel.

Varanasi or Banaras, mentioned in the scriptures as Kashi, is less of a city and more of a dreamy experience. It is a paragon of Indian culture, philosophy, traditions and spiritual ethos since times immemorial. It is among the Sapta Puries, meaning seven sacred cities of Ancient India. The city is located on the bank of River Ganga which has two tributaries in the city: Varuna and Assi; hence the name Varanasi. The combination of Kashi – the holy city, Ganga- the sacred river and Shiva- the supreme God, makes Varanasi an immortal destination. Today, Varanasi remains the hub of cultural and holy activities. In the field of learning, especially of Religion, Philosophy, Yoga, Ayurveda, Astrology, Dance and Music, the city is certainly unparalleled. The Banarasi Silk Sarees and Brocades are known worldwide for its elegance. Varanasi is full of surprises abounding every corner; the more one explores it, the more one falls in love with it !!

Later afternoon take rickshaw ride to the Old City where you can have a bit of time to stroll the wonderful stimulating area in the Old City around the Ganges. You can walk the narrow cobbled alleyways browsing bazaars and people watch as locals prepare for the evening Aarti. Just before sunset, we will board a country boat to witness Aarti (fire) ceremony performed by a Hindu priest on the banks of River Ganges.
Overnight stay at hotel.

Early morning pick up for a very moving sunrise boat ride on the River Ganges to witness the religious ceremonies of Hindus. Afterwards, a walking tour of temples and ghats.

Return to the hotel for breakfast and some time to rest from the early wake-up call, if you desire.

In the late morning (depart at approx 11 am), to visit Benaras Hindu University, regarded as the largest residential universities in Asia.

Bharat Kala Bhavan, located inside the BHU campus, is an art and architecture museum and houses a vast collection of paintings, Hindu and Buddhist sculptures and other materials of archeological importance. The Bharat Kala Bhavan was established in the year 1920 A.D. Bharat Kala Bhavan also has a great collection of miniature paintings from the courts of Mughals and other Kingdoms and principalities. Some of the important sections in the Bharat Kala Bhavan are Mahamana Malaviya gallery, Nicholas Roerich gallery, Chhavi (Painting Gallery), sculpture gallery, Nidhi (Treasures) gallery, sculpture gallery, archaeological gallery, decorative art gallery and Banaras through ages gallery.

Return to your hotel for lunch at your own and refresh.

This afternoon, visit Sarnath where, in 500 BC, Lord Buddha preached his first sermon 'Maha- Dharma-Chakra Pravartan Sutta' (in Buddhist terminology, ‘turn the wheel of the law’) after his enlightenment. The very spot is marked by the Dhamekh Stupa, adorned with delicate floral carvings. You can walk the path, located in the midst of the archeological park, to see the ruins of the small brick monastery where Buddha lived during his visits. About 600 meters before the Archeological Museum, you will see the Chaukhandi Stupa. The excellent Archeological Museum contains an extremely rich collection of Buddhist sculptures of numerous Buddha and Bodhisatva images.

After visiting the museum, continue to Mahabodhi Society’s Mulgandha Kuti Vihar Temple. A major place of worship for the Buddhist community of the world, it was constructed by Bodhisatva Anagarika Dharmapala (1864-1933) from Sri Lanka at the very site where Shakyamuni Buddha preached his first sermon. The temple contains excellent frescoes painted by Japanese artist Kosetsu Notsu. He single handedly completed these paintings in a four year span (1932-36). It also houses a life size statue of Buddha in its sanctum and Gautam Buddha's holy relics are kept on display in the shrine. The monarchy of Japan has gifted a large bronze bell that dominates the entrance of the Vihar. The temple was opened to public on Nov. 11th, 1931 and the Mahabodhi Society of India oversees its affairs.

A Bodhi tree stands on the left (east) side of the temple that is believed to have grown out of a sapling of the one under which Buddha attained enlightenment at Bodhgaya. Under this tree statues of Buddha and his disciples have been displayed. The casket of the sacred relics is taken out in a great procession from Mulgandha Kuti Vihar and goes around this tiny city of Sarnath annually on the anniversary day of Mulgandha Kuti Vihar, which falls on Kartik Purnima (Full moon day) in the month of Nov.

At approx 6pm, local Buddhists chant the words to Buddha's first sermon.
Overnight stay at hotel.

After relax breakfast you are transferred to Varanasi airport to board flight for Khajuraho. Upon arrival at airport you are meet & greet by company representative afterwards you are transferred to your pre-booked hotel.

Khajuraho was once the capital of the Chandela Rajput’s of Bundelkhand. It is the dwelling place of the World’s famous 10th century Khajuraho Temples. These temples have attractive and erotic rock carvings and the carvings symbolize some of the beautiful specimens of the medieval Hindu architecture and sculpture in the country.

Overnight stay at hotel.

After breakfast, Half day guided city tour of Khajuraho visiting Eastern & Western Group of Temples. Later drive to Bandhvgarh National Park.

Bandhavgarh National Park: Bandhavgarh is a comparatively new National Park, and amongst the most popular Tiger Reserves in India. The Park is extremely popular because of its high density of Tiger population, being a relatively smaller park. There is also a lovely fort in the middle of the park, which doubles its charm. The park has a huge biodiversity. Bandhavgarh National Park also has a huge breeding population of leopards, Jungle cats, Rhesus macaques, hyenas, blackbucks and various species of mammals and 250 species of bird.
Upon arrival at Bandhavgarh, check in to the resort.

Overnight stay at resort.

Morning and Afternoon Safaris into the Bandhavgarh National Park accompanied by an English speaking Naturalist.
Overnight stay at resort.

After breakfast, we drive to Kanha National Park.

Kanha National Park: Kanha National Park, one of the original Sanctuaries to be part of the Project Tiger programme, is one of the largest National Parks in Asia. Kanha not only boasts of India’s largest Tiger population, but is also known for it’s conservation efforts of the Barasingha (Swamp Deer), the population of which has increased over seven fold in the last 40 odd years. The Kanha National Park has a diverse landscape and a hugely varied topography including hilly areas, thick forest and open grasslands. This varied landscape offers a unique habitat to a variety of animals, which, in addition to Tigers include Chital (spotted deer), Langur Monkeys, Wolves and the elusive leopard.

Upon arrival at Kanha, check in to the resort.
Overnight stay at resort.

Morning and Afternoon Safaris into the Bandhavgarh National Park accompanied by an English speaking Naturalist.
Overnight stay at resort.

The day starts with an early morning game safari into the Kanha National Park, once again accompanied by a local Naturalist.

Afternoon drive to Jabalpur Railway station to board the overnight train to Agra.
Overnight board on Train.